These poems have been inspired by the band Kansas. I hope you enjoy them!
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Son of Some Other Morning Star The Minstrel Kansas Demon Bean (Parody of "Whiskey Seed") Solitary Man |
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SON OF SOME OTHER MORNING STAR
(A poem for Steve Walsh)
In the early dawn,
On the deep pink horizon,
I see you rise before the sun,
A bright spot above the hills,
Sparkling in brilliant hues
Of silver, gold, and red.
You touch my soul,
Son of some other morning star!
An ancient heartbeat
Echoes across centuries,
Following proud footsteps of those
Who sang their stories long ago.
I feel this power in your voice
And see it shining in your eyes,
A man of the South Wind,
Son of some other morning star.
The moon fades into
The West as an eagle
Glides upon the morning breeze.
Your feathers suit you well,
Spread across your restless wings.
I hear your call, Brother Eagle,
And gladly follow,
Son of some other morning star.
(copyright August 2003, by Melissa Palmer)
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THE MINSTREL
(A Poem for Robby Steinhardt)
In twilight, I walk beside the river.
One by one, the stars come out,
Silver gems on a cloth of cobalt blue.
I can hear the music of
The spheres in all its glory,
My heart aching with every note.
Far away, across space and time,
A minstrel plays upon a hilltop,
Sliding his bow across magic strings.
The song calls out to me
From across the ages, stirring my soul,
Evoking ancient memories.
I can feel the music
Floating down in starlight.
I can feel it deep within my bones.
With a sweet violin
And a deep, clear voice,
The minstrel plays upon my heartstrings,
And I am his gypsy bride,
Dancing by the river
Under a lonely moon.
(copyright August 2003, by Melissa Palmer)
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KANSAS
(Driving home after a concert)
Driving down a midnight road,
Remembering stories left untold,
Singing songs of young and happy times.
Orion crowned by Gemini
Hangs there in the Eastern sky,
Hangs there in my heart and in my mind.
Sailing on a breeze of light
Blowing through the velvet night,
My soul is drifting in this magic bliss.
But what can a lonely woman do,
Trying to reach out to you,
Yearning for a smile, a handshake...a kiss?
A fool to love you through the years,
A fool to love you through my tears,
A fool to love you til the day I die.
Remembering every word you said,
I slip into my empty bed
And dream beneath the beams of Gemini.
(copyright October 2003, by Melissa Palmer)
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COFFEE BEAN
(Parody of Kerry Livgren's "Whiskey Seed")
Well, I've been downtown again,
Gotta taste that java bean.
I'd sell you my Nikes for a dollar.
I've maxed out my MasterCard
Cause the craving's so hard.
If I don't get a sip, I'm gonna hollar.
Now I'd crawl down the block
For just one espresso shot,
Trade you for a vente mocha
Everything I've got.
It's the devil's own, so brother take heed,
Don't go planting that old demon bean!
I know every place in town
Where the brewing's going down,
And my bladder's so full, I'm getting wobbly.
I'm just a caffeine slave,
It will take me to my grave.
Please God, get me a caramel latte.
Now, Starbucks is my home,
I go there every day.
You can find me lying
In the doorway.
It's the devil's own, so sister take heed,
Don't go planting that old demon bean!
Well, I'm feeling so down,
It's closing time at Coffee Town,
It's that awesome buzz I'm missing.
And I wish I could hide,
Cause I feel like I've died.
I can hear that cappucino-maker hissing.
But I'm trying to find
A way to get out.
Coffee always makes me
Want to jump and shout.
It's the devil's own, so brother take heed,
Don't go planting that old demon bean!
(copyright June 2004, by Melissa Palmer)
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SOLITARY MAN
(A Poem for Steve Walsh)
Solitary man, silent soldier,
Keeping it all inside,
But the pride in your eyes
Reveals you soul,
So you try to hide it.
I saw you looking at the sea,
Your face had turned to gold.
In that very moment,
I saw the man behind the masque.
In that single second,
Your outer shell turned to sand,
Sunlight and ocean
Reflected your inner self.
Don’t you know that when
You discover beauty,
You become beautiful?
Don’t you know that someday
The warrior must remove his shield
And let his spirit soar?
Beautiful man…
I hope you win the battle.
(copyright August 2004, by Melissa Palmer)
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